Does Ferriprox® confer any cardioprotective benefits?
Results from clinical studies that assessed myocardial iron content and cardiac function in patients treated with Ferriprox or DFO (deferoxamine) show that Ferriprox was more effective in removing excess cardiac iron and improving cardiac function, and that its use is associated with a lower incidence of iron-induced cardiac disease.(Piga A, et al, 2003) (Anderson, 2001 & 2002)(Pennell,2006); (Peng 2003)(Borgna-Pignatti, 2006) The greater efficacy of deferiprone versus deferoxamine in removing excess cardiac iron is most likely related to the compounds molecular size, lack of charge, and partition characteristics, which favour penetration of cellular and subcellular membranes. (Kontoghiorghes, 1988) The most relevant studies on the morbidity and survival of patients with thalassemia major have been published by a group of investigators from seven of the major thalassemia treatment centres in Italy by conducting natural history studies on the survival of thalassemia patients over the pa
